For many with Indigenous heritage, Donnel Point, which sits along the La Quinta Channel, holds deep meaning.
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Donnel Point in Ingleside is described by those with Indigenous roots as a place of deep historical and cultural significance. Local groups point to the area as an ancient settlement site.
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For many with Indigenous heritage, Donnel Point — which sits along the La Quinta Channel — holds deep meaning. For Love Sanchez, it represents a sense of pride.
“I am a mixed native of this area. I am Karankawa, Lipan Apache, so the fact that my roots are here, it matters,” Sanchez said.
Sanchez says she is concerned about industry’s role at the sacred site. A recent webinar outlined a timeline of Donnel Point’s history under industrial use, noting the site has been under ownership of the Port of Corpus Christi since 2021.
“We don’t know what this permit is going to turn into. From what we saw, it was a 404 permit. The Army Corps of Engineers handles 404 and 401 permits, which is dredging, digging,” she said.
According to legal experts who spoke during the webinar, while there is currently no movement on the permit, that could change.
“They still have the permit theoretically to dredge this site, and in December 2026, this permit will expire and come up for renewal again,” he said.
Sanchez says preserving history is critical, comparing Donnel Point to another treasured piece of land — Oso Creek.
“This particular area, there was like a grave site, like a burial site, because that’s where we would bury our loved ones. Some sites were gathering spots, and some were burial sites for our loved ones,” she said.
Regardless of how long it takes, Sanchez says her mission remains unchanged.
“What we’re trying to do is protect that area basically from being destroyed,” she said.